Parent Tips for Reading at Home with K-2 Students

This video suggests a variety of ways that you can help improve your child's reading comprehension by: making predictions, taking picture walks, and talking to your children about what they read. Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXijm36S_AI&feature=related

Readers' Theater

One of the easiest ways to help children to increase their reading fluency is to encourage them to reread materials that they have already read. There are many ways to encourage children to reread including: having them read in a particular voice (happy, sad, scared, etc...), perform their reading to an audience, and using readers' theaters. Readers' theaters work well when they are performed in small groups.There are many readers' theater resources available online, one of the websites that I often visit for reader's theater scripts is: http://www.mandygregory.com/readers_theater.htm#Where%20Can%20I%20Find%20Scripts

Books to Use with Struggling Readers

Although leveled books are important to have students read when they are first learning to read they should not be the only books that students have access to during independent reading times. It is important to find a balance between the easy readers and picture books that will engage even the reluctant readers. Below is an article that discusses this topic in more detail. http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/322.cfm

Phonics Instruction

Struggling readers need to be explicitly taught phonics in order to develop basic reading skills.
I have been looking for new instructional materials to help make progress with my beginning readers. While at the teacher store, I came across the book shown below. I did a little investigating online to get consumers feedback on how useful the text was for them in their teaching position. After reading through multiple positive feedback and evaluating the text for ease of use and application, I decided to purchase it. I think that this will help my phonics instruction be more precise and sequential. If you are looking for a way to improve your phonics instruction for teaching small groups then I would recommend you check into this book.

                                     
Available for purchase online at http://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Sequential-Phonics-They-Use/dp/0887245811/ref=pd_sim_t_3

Read Alouds Online

Another wonderful resource to use with struggling readers, at this site you can find stories that are read aloud while the illustrations are shown. There is even an option to turn on closed caption so that beginning readers can follow along with the text. Enjoy books at: http://www.storylineonline.net/

Teacher's Toolbox

http://www.peterpappas.com/blogs/read-blog/non-reader-complete.pdf

This PDF document provides a wealth of knowledge for anyone that is working with students that are reading below grade level. It includes eleven strategies to use to help the "Non-Reader". Three of the strategies that I regularly use with my small groups include: audio- assisted reading, the use of Readers Theatre, and choral reading. These three strategies have helped my students to have success with text and improve their reading skills. Perhaps you will find a strategy that you have not yet tried that will empower your students. This document also provides a "Teacher's Toolbox" that consists of graphic organizers and an explanation of strategies to help support struggling readers in the classroom.

Five Components of Reading Instruction ---Free Resources

There are five components of reading instruction addressed in school reading programs:
* Phonological Awareness  * Phonics   *Fluency     * Vocabulary    *Comprehension

At fcrr.org you can access a plethora of activities that are divided into grade levels (K-1, 2-3, or 4-5) then divided into the five components of reading instruction. Under each section there is a list of specific skills that are taught. All of the activities include directions, manipulatives (if needed), and student materials. If you have a printer and a few minutes to put together the activities, you will be set with new materials to help strengthen children's reading skills. These activities work well with students because most of them appear in a game format. Even reluctant readers are excited about reading when it is presented as a game....enjoy!

http://www.fcrr.org/Curriculum/studentCenterActivities.shtm

Hi-Lo Books for Reluctant Readers

Sparklers are a great example of Hi-Lo books. Hi-Lo books are ideal for students that are reluctant readers that are reading below grade level. These books provide high interest with low readability levels. Hi-Lo books look age appropriate for students and can be motivating to struggling readers.This set consists of chapter books that allow for students to gain confidence in their reading ability and learn to enjoy longer texts. The Sparklers set has a variety of books that are written at a first to second grade reading level. The books interest levels range from grades 2-5. I have enjoyed listening to the amusing stories on CD with my direct reading groups.  My favorite book in the red set is "Jell-It Jack". For more information on the various titles that are available visit: http://www.sundancepub.com/c/@V5vgOJo0zLk7A/Pages/product.html?record@S3722